Edinburgh

It's no lie to say that Edinburgh is everyone's favorite city in the British Isles. The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is cultured, attractive and charming.

There is plenty to see and do whenever you visit "Auld Reekie", as the residents affectionately refer to the city. Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyrood house and the Royal Mile are all world class attractions. Edinburgh itself is breathtakingly beautiful, on multiple levels with storeyed buildings in brooding grey granite. Meanwhile, south of the city centre Arthur's Seat raises its distinctive bulk, and just outside the city limits you have the natural attractions of the Pentland hills, real Scottish moorland.

Among this you have the culture that comes with Edinburgh's capital status; eclectic bars, fine dining, and national art collections and museums can be found all over the city. The vast student population keeps the atmosphere upbeat and vibrant and even the downpours that periodically soak the city don't dampen Edinburgh's enthusiasm for entertainment.

Sights And Attractions

The 12th-century Edinburgh Castle dominates the whole city. It is one of the UK's most distinctive sites, and one of the first things you see as you enter Edinburgh by rail from the south. The castle's courtyard is also the site of the world-famous Edinburgh Tattoo each year.

Straddling the volcanic ridge that runs from Edinburgh Castle, at the top, to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, at the foot, is the cobble stoned Royal Mile. It is actually made up of four separate streets that seamlessly run into each other - Castle Hill, the Lawnmarket, High Street and the Canongate, but few people differentiate between them nowadays.

Walking the full length of the Mile is an essential Edinburgh experience. It is one of Europe's most fascinating thoroughfares, lined with shops, pubs, restaurants and many historical buildings including Edinburgh's High Kirk and political buildings. Fanning off the Royal Mile are dozens of narrow lanes that lead to small courts and steps down to the Cowgate and the Grassmarket.

Shopping

Mile-long Princ Princess Street Edinburgh es Street is Edinburgh's main shopping drag. It has all the major UK chain stores plus a few independent shops, such as Jenners, a large, old-fashioned department store. At the east end of Princes Street, the underground Princes Mall contains dozens of specialist shops and fashion boutiques. Across the road at the top of Leith Walk you can find the St Andrews Center where mainstream stores have made their homes.

Food

You can't go far wrong when it comes to eating in Edinburgh these days - and you can eat well on almost any budget.

As well as dozens of restaurants serving traditional Scottish cuisine, there are excellent Italian, French and Indian restaurants. The best are concentrated in old town (particularly the narrow lanes leading off the Royal Mile), though the New Town (near to Princes St), Southside and Leith have their fair share of spots.

Scottisch Whiskey

Location

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Hotels

View the 37 hotels listed in Edinburgh, United Kingdom